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The Most (un)Epic Daily Driver Build Thread

erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
**** CAR HAS BEEN SOLD AS OF OCTOBER 2016 ****

I purchased my 2013 GTI Driver's Edition DSG in Carbon Steel Grey in August 2013 to replace a 2011 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X that was killing me on gas. In April '13 I took a new job that increased my daily commute from zero (I worked from home) to ~50 miles per day. I loved the truck, but it was no longer economically feasible. Add to that that I've been dying to get back into autocross and the occasional track day. Above all though, the GTI must remain a reliable and civil daily driver.

The car: 2013 GTI Driver's Edition 4 door in Carbon Steel Grey with DSG. Only other options were the Monster Mat set, splash guards, and the first aid kit.

Major Milestones:
  • 8/19/13 - Took Delivery of car
  • 1/3/14 - K04 install by HS Tuning
  • 3/17/14 - 10k Service and installed suspension mods
  • 9/8/15 - 40k Service (Oil, DSG oil, fuel filter)

Engine / Drivetrain Mods:
  • APR K04
  • APR "Fully loaded" ECU. Primarily running the 93 octane v3.1 K04 tune.
  • APR DSG tune
  • APR Downpipe
  • APR Intercooler
  • APR Carbonio Stage 1 & 2 Intake (Stage 2 currently removed until I resolve fitment issues)
  • Audi R8 Red Top Coil Packs
  • NGK PFR8S8EG Spark Plugs @ 0.025"
  • Whiteline Torque Arm Bushing Insert

Suspension / Chassis Mods:
  • Unibrace XB
  • Bilstein PSS B14 Coil Overs
  • SuperPro LCA mounts and bushings
  • SuperPro Adjustable Ball Joints
  • H&R 26mm front and 24mm rear sway bars
  • TyrolSport Front Subframe DeadSet Kit

Brakes:
  • Front Rotors: StopTech Cryo Slotted
  • Rear Rotors: StopTech Slotted
  • Front Pads: Endless MX-72
  • Rear Pads: Hawk HPS
  • StopTech Stainless Brake Lines
  • TyrolSport Front Caliper Stiffening Kit
  • Motul RBF600 Fluid

Rollers:
  • Fun Season: OE Lagunas with 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports
  • Pothole Season: Tire Rack Sport Edition 16x7 wheels with 205/55R16 Dunlop WinterSport 3D's

Exterior / Interior / Appearance:
  • Rennline fire extinguisher mount and H3R Halguard 2.5lb extinguisher
  • ECS Heated Blind Spot Mirrors
  • Remote Start - XpressKit DB-ALL and Viper Smart Start cell phone integration
  • Pro Clip vent mounted Galaxy Note 3 cradle -Quite possibly the best thing I've ever bought for the car!

Projects In Progress: (ie. have the parts, but not installed yet)
  • P3 Cars VIDI
  • Lamin-X yellow fog light covers
  • Rennlne wheel stud conversion

Wishlist / Planned:
  • Window Film

VAG-COM Tweaks:
  • Unlock doors with key fob with engine running for remote start
  • Comfort windows up and down with key fob
  • Driver seat heater memory (Super handy with a remote start!)
  • Panic braking hazard lights
  • Coming home lights with fogs
  • Fog lights operate with high beams
  • Disable low washer fluid idiot light after always being on with Rain-X De-icer

Warranty / Repairs:
  • 9/23/13 - Warranty - Cleaned and lubricated door seals to resolve creaking noises
  • 4/20/15 - Warranty - Water pump




 
Last edited:
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
FLtrooper said:
Nice! The k04 is installed already?

Sucks you had to get rid of the Frontier.. I love my 13'!

:)
Click to expand...

I was a little premature with listing the K04. I'm dropping the car off at HS Tuning this afternoon for them to do the install tomorrow. Just in time for us to get hit by a blizzard!

Sent from my touchscreen device. I cannot be held accountable for any typos!
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
I finished installing the remote start today. I used the XpressKit DB-ALL CAN-BUS module and added the Viper Smart Start for cell phone connectivity. Unfortunately, the website to register the Smart Start seems to be having issues so I don't have it registered yet.

I purchased the XKLOADER2 to program the DB-ALL myself. It was extremely straight forward. I picked up 12V+, Ignition +, Crank +, CAN Hi, and CAN Lo in the steering column. I grounded the DB-ALL and the grey wire of the Smart Start to a bolt that mounts the fuse box to the dash structure. The only wire I had to get off the brown connector of the BCM was pin 17 which is the brake pedal bypass. Yes, my DSG car does require the brake pedal bypass and I normally have to press the brake pedal to start the car. Seems there are GTI's out there that don't require this.

If anyone needs an XKLOADER2 in the Cleveland, Ohio area, I'd be happy to program their DB-ALL.
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
So I went on a bit of a suspension spending spree tonight...

  • SuperPro Anti-Walk Kit
  • SuperPro Front LCA poly bushings
  • H&R 28/24 F&R Swaybars
  • Driver Gear Springs

Now it just needs to quit snowing and I need at least one Saturday or Sunday above 50deg to install all this stuff! (At this rate, it'll probably be April.)
 
Last edited:
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
All my suspension goodies have arrived except the UNIbrace RB so now I'm just waiting for nicer weather. I know one of the techs at the local VW dealer and he offered to lend me a hand installing everything plus he has all the special tools and can knock out the alignment when we're done.

Now that I have the suspension figured out, my brain has already shifted to the next project: brakes. Right now I'm leaning towards the "NQSBBK" Porsche Boxster upgrade. Although, I haven't seen a definitive answer as to whether or not they'll fit under my OE 18" Lagunas.

And I can probably throw the idea of running my steel spare or my 16" alloy winter wheels out the window, huh? Some people seem to be claiming that some 16" wheels will work with spacers. Guess I'll have to try and see. Worse case is I get a cheap set of spacers for my winter wheels or I just swap calipers twice a year.
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
Hit 10,000 miles today! Unfortunately, I was dodging non-drivers on I-480 this morning when it happened so I couldn't get a pic.
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
In go the DG springs, Super Pro LCA mounts, and H&R sway bars! I traded some used saltwater aquarium stuff I had laying around for some help from a buddy who's a VW tech.

I forgot to grab the UNIbrace RB from my garage so I'll have to pop that in later myself.



 
///Audience

///Audience

Ready to race!
erikras said:
I finished installing the remote start today. I used the XpressKit DB-ALL CAN-BUS module and added the Viper Smart Start for cell phone connectivity. Unfortunately, the website to register the Smart Start seems to be having issues so I don't have it registered yet.

.
Click to expand...

Did you have to use a Viper remote start system along side the DB-ALL and SmartStart or is there a way to install only the DB-ALL module directly to the SmartStart and have the OEM key still work?
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
///Audience said:
Did you have to use a Viper remote start system along side the DB-ALL and SmartStart or is there a way to install only the DB-ALL module directly to the SmartStart and have the OEM key still work?
Click to expand...

The DB-ALL is all you need to remote start the car by pressing LOCK on the factory fob three times. The SmartStart module plugs directly into the DB-ALL and doesn't have any effect on other functions. My OEM key and fob work normally like they always have.
 
///Audience

///Audience

Ready to race!
tool cool. Thanks!
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
bimmerheater said:
Can we get pics of how the car sits now?
Click to expand...

I will when I pick it up tomorrow although it'll probably still be on winter tires for a couple more weeks. I hadn't actually planned on doing the suspension goodies today. I dropped off the car for it's 10k service and a few small warranty issues this morning and they gave me a loaner Jetta to get to work. By the time I got to the dealer after work my buddy had already installed the rear springs and had the front end torn apart! It was nearly 8PM by the time everything was installed so he's going to align it in the morning.

Here's the best part... the dealer let me keep the loaner Jetta until I pick up my car tomorrow! :D
 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
Ordered the SuperPro Roll Center camber adjustable ball joints and TyrolSport front subframe DeadSet kit. Now I just need to find a weekend with time to install them and take a vacation day the following Monday to have the car aligned somewhere. I'm leaning towards having White Wheel do the alignment unless someone else has a better suggestion.

She also got her first bath of the season on Tuesday. A good soaking with a blast of Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II out of the foam canon then a hand wash. The first wash of the season is always depressing because it reveals all the new paint chips, scuffs, and grit embedded in the clear coat that the salt was hiding all winter. Although I was quite amazed at how well the water still beaded up. It's been nearly 6 months since I applied two coats of Chemical Guys Jet Seal 109.

 
erikras

erikras

Ready to race!
Got the APR K04 v3.0 software update today. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain the whole drive home. My initial impression is that it makes a better daily driver at lower RPM's, 1st and 2nd gears are usable, and 4,000+ in 4th gear is ballistic.

I also picked up some Motul RBF660 brake fluid to flush the system before the first track day of the season and an APR intercooler since the Spring Sale was still on.
 
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